Chroming, also known as huffing or bagging, involves inhaling toxic fumes from everyday household products like spray paint, air dusters, and nail polish remover to achieve a brief high. This disturbing trend is gaining traction among adolescents, primarily due to its portrayal on social media platforms like TikTok. The severity of chroming’s health consequences cannot be overstated: brain damage, organ failure, and even sudden death are among the potential outcomes. This is particularly concerning because the items used are cheap, accessible, and often already present in homes.

Also known as huffing, chroming has historical roots that trace back to ancient civilizations. Notably, in Ancient Greece, the Oracle of Delphi was believed to inhale ethylene vapors emitted from natural fissures in the earth, inducing trance-like states to deliver prophetic messages. This practice, as noted in historical accounts and studies on ancient rituals, illustrates an early example of humans intentionally inhaling chemical substances to alter their consciousness (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2021).

Teen inhalant use in the U.S. has dropped over the years, but the problem hasn’t gone away. SAMHSA reports that in 2015, 684,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 were using inhalants. By 2022, that number had fallen to 554,000. Even so, this age group continues to use inhalants more than older populations, and recent data shows a concerning uptick, with 564,000 teens reported in 2023.

Methods of Chroming

Chroming can involve various methods, depending on the substance. Here are some of the most common methods:

Inhaling Directly from Containers: Many users inhale directly from aerosol cans or small containers, allowing fumes to go straight to the lungs.

Bagging: A substance, such as spray paint or glue, is sprayed into a bag, and the fumes are then inhaled. This method can intensify the effect by creating a closed space for inhalation.

Soaking Cloths or Rags: Some users soak a cloth or rag in the chemical substance, hold it close to their nose, and inhale the fumes. This method is particularly dangerous because of prolonged exposure to the chemical.

Spraying into Hands or Mouth: Certain aerosol sprays are applied directly to hands or inhaled through the mouth, providing a quicker high but with serious risks to the respiratory system.

Commonly Abused Substances for Chroming

Based on recent research on TikTok and other social platforms, the substances most frequently used for chroming, or inhaling fumes for a high, include:

Permanent Markers (31%): Frequently featured in chroming-related videos due to their accessibility and volatile organic compounds.
Canned Air (17%): Often marketed as an air duster, these sprays are commonly abused for their intense but brief intoxicating effects.
Nail Polish (12%): Contains solvents like toluene, which can induce dizziness and euphoria but are toxic with repeated exposure.
Paint Thinner, Gasoline, and Deodorant (11%): These products each carry significant health risks due to their toxic vapors, with deodorant sprays particularly popular among teens for easy access.
Hair Spray (6%): This is another accessible product that produces harmful effects when inhaled repeatedly.  (Journal of Cannabis Research).

The study showed a concerning trend, with about 52% of related videos on TikTok referencing addiction or repeated chroming use. This normalization of chroming in social media memes and videos has raised alarms among health professionals, as these easily accessible household products can quickly lead to dangerous dependency and health risks, including neurological and respiratory damage

How TikTok Fuels a Deadly Chroming Trend

TikTok has played a significant role in the resurgence of chroming, largely through viral trends and hashtags like “whiptok,” which showcase users engaging in this dangerous behavior. TikTok’s algorithm can rapidly spread such videos, often glamorizing the act without showing its deadly consequences. In fact, research from the 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference revealed that TikTok videos tagged with chroming have amassed over 25 million views.

The appeal of participating in challenges, earning likes, and gaining social approval on TikTok creates a sense of invincibility among teens, making them more likely to engage in risky behaviors like chroming.

What is Whiptok: Chroming on TikTok

Whiptok refers to a section of TikTok where users post videos inhaling toxic substances from whipped cream chargers (nitrous oxide) or other inhalants. This online community normalizes dangerous behaviors by using casual language and framing chroming as harmless experimentation. The result is a deadly disconnect: teens who engage with “whiptok” may not fully understand the long-term consequences of chroming.

The Effects of Chroming on Health

The Devastating Impact of Chroming on the Brain and Body

Chroming has both immediate and long-lasting effects on the brain and body. In the short term, inhaling toxic chemicals can result in lightheadedness, hallucinations, and disorientation. However, the long-term consequences are far more severe. Repeated exposure to these chemicals can lead to:

  • Brain damage: The central nervous system suffers severe impairments, leading to memory loss, concentration difficulties, and cognitive decline.
  • Organ damage: Inhalants can cause significant damage to vital organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.
  • Mental health issues: Prolonged use can trigger conditions like depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders.

The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, making chroming especially harmful for younger users. Chronic use can stunt cognitive development, leading to lifelong consequences.

Can You Die from Chroming?

While chroming may initially produce feelings of euphoria, its potential for fatal outcomes cannot be overlooked. One of the most dangerous risks is sudden sniffing death syndrome, a condition where the heart stops abruptly due to the inhalation of toxic chemicals. This can occur with even a single use, especially when products like aerosols or gasoline are inhaled.

According to research 22% of inhalant abusers who died of Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome were first- time users.

Fatal accidents have been widely documented. The tragic death of Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington in the UK and Esra Haynes in Australia, both resulting from chroming, illustrate the real-life consequences of this trend. These cases highlight how quickly a moment of experimentation can turn into a life-threatening situation.

What is Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome?

Sudden sniffing death syndrome is one of the most terrifying potential outcomes of chroming. Inhalants such as gasoline, paint thinner, and aerosol sprays can trigger fatal heart arrhythmias, leading to cardiac arrest. The most troubling aspect is the unpredictability of this syndrome—it can strike anyone, regardless of their health status or history of substance abuse.

How Does Chroming Impact the Body, Especially the Developing Brain?

Chroming primarily disrupts brain function by depressing the central nervous system. This disruption affects neurotransmitters, leading to cognitive impairments, mental health issues, and an overall decline in brain function. In young users, whose brains are still developing, the damage can be even more severe, potentially resulting in permanent cognitive impairments.

chroming teen inhalent abuse

Is Your Child Engaging in Chroming?

What Are the Telltale Signs That Someone Might Be Engaging in Chroming?

Frequent nosebleeds or sores around the mouth and nose could be signs of chroming, as the chemicals involved can erode the sensitive tissue in these areas, Pizon said. Parents should also pay attention to unusual items like aerosol cans, nail polish, or metallic paint appearing in their child’s room, especially if they aren’t typically used, Pizon suggested.

Changes in behavior, such as a drop in school performance or a sudden lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed, may also point to inhalant abuse, Choi said. Being attentive to these signs and maintaining open communication can help parents identify potential issues early, Choi added.

  • Chemical smells on the breath, clothes, or belongings.
  • Sores or rashes around the mouth and nose.
  • Frequent headaches, dizziness, or nausea.
  • Slurred speech or sudden clumsiness.

Behavioral changes are also important red flags. These can include mood swings, secrecy, withdrawal from social activities, and a decline in school performance. Social media engagement with trends like “whiptok” or sudden curiosity about substances used in chroming should also raise concern.

Protecting Kids & Teens from the Dangers of Chroming

Preventing chroming among teens can be challenging because the products involved are often everyday household or hobby items. Parents should consider removing or locking up items like aerosol sprays, nail polish, or computer dusters if they’re not regularly needed, Pizon suggested.

Signs that a child may be engaging in chroming include frequent nosebleeds or sores around the mouth or nose, which can occur when chemicals erode the delicate lining in these areas, Choi said. Parents should also look out for the presence of suspicious products in their child’s room, declining school performance, or a loss of interest in usual activities, Pizon added.

“The best way to address chroming is to treat it like other serious dangers — by having ongoing conversations,” Choi said. For example, casual remarks like, “Let’s put the cap on that marker; the strong smell can cause headaches,” or “Painters wear masks because spray paint fumes are unsafe to breathe,” can open the door to broader discussions, Choi explained.

During more formal conversations, empathy is key. Parents should lead by asking open-ended questions and listening without judgment, Pizon advised. It’s important to acknowledge that chroming might seem harmless when teens see friends or social media influencers doing it, but the reality is much more serious, Choi said. Parents could say something like, “This can permanently damage your brain, heart, and other organs, and in some cases, it’s even deadly on the first try. I want to make sure you know the risks because I care about your safety,” Choi suggested.

What Resources and Treatment Options Are Available for Those Struggling with Chroming Addiction?

For individuals struggling with chroming, seeking professional help is essential. Treatment options include:

  • Residential treatment programs: These offer a structured environment for detox and rehabilitation.
  • Outpatient therapy: Allows individuals to receive treatment while maintaining their daily responsibilities.
  • Support groups: Provide peer support for those recovering from inhalant abuse.
  • Therapeutic modalities: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are highly effective in addressing addiction and underlying emotional issues.

Family therapy can also be beneficial in supporting recovery and preventing relapse.